Irish TD backs ‘half-Irish’ Macklemore after Ed Sheeran tour removal

Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has voiced his support for Macklemore after the rapper was removed from the US leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following comments supporting Palestine.

Speaking as the Dáil returned from its summer recess, Daly described the situation as “unfortunate”, particularly because Macklemore’s comments reflected views he had expressed publicly for several years.

“I support Macklemore on what he’s saying,” Daly said. “Of course, he’s half Irish as well, isn’t he? So we have skin in the game with him too.”

Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, has previously spoken about his Irish heritage. After receiving a warm reception during a Dublin performance, he said his family history came from Ireland and described the experience as a “homecoming”.

The rapper was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s tour after saying “Free Palestine” during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore later said Sheeran and his team had made the decision to remove him, while Sheeran said the decision had been made by the tour’s promoter.

The dispute has also prompted several artists to withdraw from the remaining tour dates. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga pulled out, while other supporting acts including Finneas and Lukas Graham also left the tour.

Daly’s comments came as Macklemore continued to receive support from Irish musicians, including CMAT, Hozier and Kneecap. Meanwhile, Macklemore has said he plans to donate $1 million from his earnings from the tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.